On February 15, 1965, the red-and-white Canadian flag featuring the proud maple leaf was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. Today, February 15, is now officially National Flag Day, a day to celebrate the flag and all it represents.

2018 marks the the 53rd anniversary of the Canadian flag.

Happy Flag Day!

]]>Black History Month event tonight at York U with Angela Robertson, Robyn Maynard and Dionne Brandhttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/news/black-history-month-event-tonight-at-york-u-with-angela-robertson-robyn-maynard-and-dionne-brand
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:20:40 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41426Three noted leaders from different walks of life, but sharing the same goal of activism against racism, will engage in a conversation at the Black History Month event hosted by York University at the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, February 15.

The event, “Everyday Activism, Critical Resistance: A Conversation with Angela Robertson and Robyn Maynard facilitated by Dionne Brand,” is organized by the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora in the Faculty of Education, and is sponsored by Unifor.

“These important conversations will reflect on the ways in which people of African descent resist the daily acts of gendered, classed and sexual racialization in Canadian society,” said York Professor Carl James, lead organizer, and Canada’s prominent researcher in the areas of equity and racism.

]]>Update on spousal sponsorship process improvements in time for Valentine’s Dayhttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/immigrate/immigration-law/update-on-spousal-sponsorship-process-improvements-in-time-for-valentines-day
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 21:14:54 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41378It’s Valentine’s Day, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is trying to spread the love with an announcement on how it’s improving the spousal sponsorship process of immigration to bring spouses and dependants together faster.

“The Government of Canada is committed to family reunification,” said Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen. “We understand how important it is to reunite couples. It also makes for a stronger Canada. Canadians who marry someone from abroad shouldn’t have to wait for years to have them immigrate or be left with uncertainty in terms of their ability to stay.”

In December 2016, IRCC announced that it would reduce the backlog of spousal applicants by 80 per cent and shorten processing times to 12 months. It also announced improvements to the spousal sponsorship application process to make it more efficient and easier to navigate.

Today, Minister Hussen announced that the government has successfully met these commitments:

“More than 80 per cent of those who were in the global spousal sponsorship backlog on December 7, 2016, have now received final decisions for their applications. We reduced the spousal inventory from 75,000 applications to 15,000 as of December 31, 2017,” stated an IRCC press release.

Further improving the spousal sponsorship application

The immigration department says it’s also continuing to respond to client and stakeholder feedback to further improve the application process, and make it simpler and easier for sponsors and applicants to understand and navigate. “As a result, we made a number of improvements to the application package in June 2017. And today, we introduced further updates to the application kit and process to improve the client experience and make sure we can process applications as quickly as possible.”

Notably, spousal applicants will now be asked to submit their Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) form and police certificates as part of their initial paper application package, instead of later in the application process, as was previously required. This will help IRCC process applications more quickly and efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

IRCC plans to welcome 66,000 spouses and dependants in 2018, well above the average over the past decade of about 47,000.

]]>The increased minimum wage and its impact on newcomershttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/news/the-increased-minimum-wage-and-its-impact-on-newcomers
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 19:23:20 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41369Many recent newcomers are working in minimum wage jobs so the recent increase in minimum wage in Ontario and upcoming one in B.C. is good news, for the most part. But the wage increase could affect work availability and scheduling.

Ten years ago, Milvia Ruano left Cuba in hopes of earning a better life in Canada.

“The economic situation is not good,” she says, referring to her birth country. “So, you look for a better country. Canada is a good country.”

Despite having had a career as a college teacher in Cuba, the mother of two says that she’s able to earn more in Toronto making minimum wage.

“I don’t make a lot of money, but still, I have a decent life,” she says. “I just have to be careful how to spend my money … I have to budget very carefully every month.”

As the nutrition program co-ordinator at Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, Ruano made $13 an hour up until the end of last year. Now, thanks to Ontario’s recent minimum wage increase from $11.60 to $14, which took effect on January 1, 2018, Ruano got a $1 raise.

At $14 an hour, an individual working a full 40-hour week would earn $2,240 a month. According to a recent report by the City of Toronto, the average apartment rental cost in the city is $1,829 monthly. That would leave a minimum wage earner with about $400 at the end of the month to cover all other expenses.

“I think we all agree that no one working full-time in Ontario should live in poverty,” says Laura Albanese, Ontario’s minister of citizenship and immigration. “We anticipate (the increase) will have a positive impact … especially on newcomers because many of them are minimum wage earners.”

Backlash from businesses on minimum wage increase

While Minister Albanese and the Ontario government say they expect the increase to be a beneficial change for the province, they’ve received significant backlash from business owners who say they can’t afford to pay the new rate. And come 2019, that amount is set to go up again, from the current $14 to $15 an hour.

“Unfortunately, this particular legislation hits [businesses] very hard,” says Paul Smetanin, the president and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA), a research organization who reported on the effects of Bill 148, the legislation that includes the new minimum wage.

“It’s too fast, too soon,” he says. “You might cast your net, thinking that you’re going to catch tuna, and you find that it’s full of dolphins. It has unintended consequences.”

Of those repercussions, Smetanin says businesses may turn to methods such as automation to avoid paying employees the higher rate. He says this can make things especially difficult for newcomers who are not yet employed, as there may be fewer job openings with employers looking to cut back.

Nathan Hughes-Berry, an immigrant from England, already had a job prior to the wage increase, making minimum wage at a Toronto coffee shop. However, as January 1 neared, his employer made some adjustments.

“When the wages went up, they started to cut people’s hours,” he says. “So, I thought I better find something else.”

Hughes-Berry says a number of his friends found themselves in similar situations. Fortunately for him, though, he managed to secure full-time work at another coffee shop, Everyday Gourmet, where his employers, a mother-son duo, pay $15 per hour.

“Their theory is they just want to treat staff better because they stay and they kind of enjoy the work and stuff — just getting paid properly for the work you’re doing,” says the barista.

Adjusting to the minimum wage change

This is the attitude that Minister Albanese hopes Ontario businesses take.

However, acknowledging that some have not accepted this mindset, she emphasizes that Ontario’s economy is doing very well, and that this is the best time to take on this change. She adds that her government will work with businesses and organizations to find ways to help them adjust.

The province of B.C. is also raising its minimum wage. The first increase from $11.35 to $12.65 is happening this June 1, 2018. It will be raised annually until it reaches $15.20 by 2021.

Regardless of the debates surrounding increasing minimum wage, Ruano says that personally, she’s satisfied. She doesn’t expect the pay raise to make her rich, but she’s confident that it will make her life easier.

“It’s not like I’m going on vacation now because I’m making one more dollar,” she says. “But it’s going to help with the bills. It’s going to help. I’m happy.”

]]>Just over two weeks left to nominate for 2018 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awardshttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/news/just-over-two-weeks-left-to-nominate-for-2018-rbc-top-25-canadian-immigrant-awards
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 19:23:41 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41359Nominations are open for the 2018 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant awards, the historic 10th year of the program.

Is there an immigrant who inspires you? Go to canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25 to nominate them for this special honour until February 27, 2018, 11:59 p.m. EST. Just over two weeks left to go!

“These awards celebrate the significant contributions Canadian immigrants have made in communities across Canada,” says Ivy Chiu, senior director, newcomer strategy, RBC. “As we reflect on the amazing achievements we’ve seen over the past 10 years, we can look ahead and be proud of all that we have accomplished together, and all that we will in years to come.”

This will also be the fourth year that sponsor RBC selects one of the winners for the RBC Entrepreneur Award and the second year for the Youth Award, which recognizes the achievements of young immigrants (between 15 and 30) who are making a difference in their adopted country through achievement and/or service.

Brand new this year is the Settlement Agency Award created to recognize the amazing work immigrant settlement agencies are doing to help newcomers integrate and succeed in Canada. Nominate a settlement agency doing amazing work at canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25. One agency will be selected to receive the Settlement Agency Award for 2018.

Next steps in the awards process

After nominations close, a distinguished panel of judges will review all nominees and present a shortlist of 75 finalists in March, along with finalists for the Settlement Agency Awards. After an online voting phase, the winners will be announced in June 2018.

]]>Bridge to SUCCESS Gala to celebrate 40th anniversary this Marchhttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/news/bridge-to-success-gala-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary-this-march
Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:45:15 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41354The Bridge to SUCCESS Gala, in support of immigrant-serving agency SUCCESS, is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary on March 10, 2018, at the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Bayshore Vancouver. The event aims to raise $500,000 for services that receive no or limited government funding, such as seniors programs.

“SUCCESS plays an important role in the lives of so many newcomers, youth and seniors in Canada,” said Brandon Hui, chair of SUCCESS Foundation at a press conference announcing the gala. “We hope that through this gala, guests will gain a deeper understanding of the breadth of services SUCCESS offers.”

In celebration of the gala’s 40th anniversary, guests will enjoy a multimedia experience showcasing the rich history of SUCCESS and how their support positively impacts the lives of immigrants and seniors. The event includes a VIP reception, silent and live auctions, and an exclusive seated banquet. Fred Cheng, a well-known Hong Kong singer and actor originally from B.C., will take centre stage as the evening’s feature performer.

Each year, the gala attracts more than 800 distinguished guests, including senior representatives from the three levels of government, philanthropists, and community and corporate leaders. In the past four decades, more than $15 million has been raised to support the maintenance, enhancement and development of crucial social services provided by SUCCESS that receive no or limited government funding.

Gala tickets are $238, $338, $538 or $838 each; tables of 10 are also available. As part of the gala’s fundraising, sale of the Bridge to SUCCESS Raffle tickets has also begun. For more information or to purchase gala and/or raffle tickets, please call 604-408-7228 or visit www.successfoundation.ca.

While looking for a job is usually the number one preoccupation for almost every immigrant, the new trends in the economy show that we may have to adjust our concepts of what “making a living” looks like.

Whether you are stuck in a job you don’t enjoy (or where you feel undervalued) or you have been looking for so long that you are starting to get impatient, I invite you to consider a third choice: become your own boss!

Going solo has its benefits and risks, but many don’t even consider this option because they think they don’t have what it takes. Most people think becoming self-employed or an entrepreneur is something people are born with and cannot be learned. Others think it is too risky or complicated, and yet thousands of new businesses are created every year!

Let’s debunk some myths:

Entrepreneurs are born, not made: False!

Entrepreneurship skills (and even attitudes) can be learned. There are many programs, both in person and online, that teach entrepreneurial skills, and some of them are free! Specialized business or career coaches may also support you through the process.

Starting a business requires a lot of money: It depends!

You can start a business with as little as $100, and if you offer your services as a consultant or freelancer, you may not need any funds to start. Many financial institutions have business loans for startups and there are grants for certain types of business (such as social ventures, non-profits and co-operatives). You can also fund your business with funds from family, friends or even the community through crowdfunding!

Co-operatives are a great way for many small-business entrepreneurs to share space, equipment and tools, as well as support each other with skills and shared marketing. You need access, not ownership.

Being your own boss is enslaving and messy: It depends!

If you are organized, surround yourself by people with skills and good intentions, and set your boundaries from the start, being an entrepreneur may be the best way to regain control over your time, energy and finances. You’ll get to decide when, how much and how you work, and in what projects you involve yourself!

The paperwork is overwhelming: True … and false!

Yes, there is paperwork you need to consider. You need to write a business plan, check for permits, zoning and insurance. But you don’t have to do all this on your own. There are many mentors and other small businesses and entrepreneurs out there eager to share their skills, expertise and time, even exchanging their services or products for services or products you offer. By being creative, you can build a small business “ecosystem” where you all support each other to succeed!

Businesses in Canada don’t have big margins: It depends!

It is true that Canada is highly regulated and businesses are taxed, which means less profit. But businesses exist for other reasons, too, and more and more social entrepreneurships are the norm over just profit models. You can measure success by how much you contribute to your community, the problems or pains your business helps to alleviate, the connections you make with your customers, co-workers and suppliers, the relief of living your values and not those of an unknown employer, and the opportunity to leave something to your children and family.

So, where to start?

My first suggestion is doing a market research. Observe the community and see what is lacking or what is being incomplete, what frustrates or pains people — that is your business opportunity. Yes, you’ll need to write a sound business plan, but there are coaches out there you can hire or exchange skills with to get this done. In upcoming articles, I will be discussing the types of businesses you can choose from, the steps from idea conception to launching, business planning and much more. Stay tuned!

]]>http://canadianimmigrant.ca/careers-and-education/careers/self-employment-as-an-alternative-to-a-regular-job-debunking-myths/feed18 things to know about Chinese New Yearhttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/living/culture/8-things-to-know-about-chinese-new-year
Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:03:53 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41341It’s almost time to usher in Chinese New Year 2018! Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar Festival, the traditional celebration lasts between seven to 15 days. Families gather to celebrate, feast and rejoice in the new. Here are eight things to know about this holiday celebrated by Chinese and others around the world.

Chinese New Year is about fresh starts

The holiday is also known as the Spring Festival even though it’s still technically winter, but the holiday marks the end of the coldest days. People welcome spring as a metaphor for new beginnings and fresh starts. Most traditions are about removing the old and welcoming the new, including cleaning your home, and buying new décor and clothes.

There’s no set annual date for Chinese New Year

The date for Chinese New Year changes each year, ranging from January 21 to February 20. In 2018, it occurs on February 16.

Children receive money from elders in red envelopes

Often called red pockets, children receive money in red envelopes, signifying fortune being passed from elders to the kids. Digital red pockets are trendy now as well.

Red is a lucky colour

Beyond red pockets, the colour red is considered lucky and is used widely in decorations and clothing during Chinese New Year.

There are several taboos during Chinese New Year

Things that are taboo during Chinese New Year including hair cutting, using scissors and other sharp things, arguing, swearing, saying unlucky words such as “death” and breaking things.

The Lantern Festival is considered the finale

The first full moon of the (lunar) year is known as the Lantern Festival, featuring the flying of colourful lanterns at night. It marks the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, in 2018, that’s March 2.

Every year has a zodiac animal: 2018 is the Dog

While Western horoscopes have one zodiac for each month, in Chinese tradition, there are 12 Chinese zodiacs, too, but one each for the entire year. The Dog is the 11th of all zodiac animals. Years of the Dog are: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.

Considered honest and loyal, Dogs are true friends and reliable partners.

Lucky things for Dogs include:

Colours: green, red, purple

Numbers: 3, 4, 9

Mineral: emerald

Unlucky things are:

Colors: blue, brown

Numbers: 1, 7, 8

Chinese New Year is celebrated with community celebrations in cities across Canada

Want to celebrate the Chinese New Year in your community? Here are some local festivities

]]>Canada’s immigration program for migrant caregivers under reviewhttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/immigrate/immigration-law/canadas-immigration-program-for-migrant-caregivers-under-review
Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:55:43 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41339Immigration Canada says caregivers who have not accrued the required two years of employment by Nov. 29, 2019 need not apply.

Foreign caregivers will not be eligible for permanent residence if they have not accrued two years of employment by November 29, 2019, according to a notice posted by the Immigration Department.

The federal government is currently reviewing Canada’s two programs for foreign caregivers — one for those caring for children and the other for those caring for adults with high medical needs — and has yet to decide whether to do away with them completely, renew them or come up with replacements.

“Both programs were launched as five-year pilots, including a date that they expire. With a launch date of November 29, 2014, this means they will expire on November 29, 2019,” said Immigration Canada spokesperson Faith St. John.

“An assessment is underway on both of these pilots. This assessment will help determine what pathway to permanent residence should be in place after that date. Options to replace the two pilots or make them permanent will be reviewed and announced before they expire in 2019.”

Caregivers and their advocates said they were caught off-guard by the announcement posted online over the weekend, prompting fear that this could mark the end of the special pathway to permanent residency for foreign caregivers.

“Many caregivers are confused and frustrated because of the turnaround from the government,” said University of Toronto social work professor Rupaleem Bhuyan, who leads the Migrant Mothers Project, a community-university research initiative to study the effect of immigration policies.

Bhuyan noted that the government has continued to process and issue caregiver applications since last November without telling them until now that they would not be eligible for permanent residence.

The government announcement has already created a buzz among the caregiver community here and abroad.

“A lot of people, even those in the Philippines, are talking about it. There is so much anxiety out there,” said Marilyn Battad, who came to Canada from the Philippines in June 2016 as a caregiver.

“We leave our family to come and work in Canada with the hope that we could bring our family here and have a better life. Some have lost hope now.”

Meeting the two-year employment requirement for caregivers

Not only does the 2019 cut-off affect the caregivers arriving now, many like Battad could also be affected if they fail to meet the two-year employment requirement by the deadline for reasons beyond their control.

Battad, 37, was released from her first caregiver job just six weeks after she arrived in the Northwest Territories. It took her 10 months to find another job in Nobleton, Ont., and secure a new work permit, which expires next April.

Bhuyan said it typically takes caregivers at least eight months to secure a new job and obtain a new work permit

Canada’s unique program is believed to be the only one in the world that provides access to permanent status for foreign caregivers after two years of full-time employment as a caregiver. The access to permanent residency is an incentive to make up for the job’s relative low pay and sometimes unpleasant work conditions.

In 2014, the previous Conservative government overhauled the program by capping the number of caregivers who can access permanent residency at 5,500 a year and imposing new requirements for language and post-secondary education.

“This is another underhanded way for the government to quietly take away the pathway for permanent residency for caregivers. This is not OK,” said Anna Malla of the Caregivers Action Centre in Toronto.

“The need for caregivers for child care and home care is permanent and we need permanent solutions. Caregivers need stable immigration status to do the job well. They provide a very important service to make it possible for Canadians to go to work.”

Manuela Gruber Hersch, president of the Association of Caregiver & Nanny Agencies Canada, said she believes foreign caregivers will continue to come and work in Canada even without the bait of permanent residency.

“Ideally, they would like to become permanent residents, but the wage is much higher in Canada (and) they are not going to stop coming,” said Gruber Hersch.

Reprinted with permission from Toronto Star.

]]>Jamaican-born Dwania Peele wants to help immigrant women in small businesshttp://canadianimmigrant.ca/people/entrepreneur-immigrants/jamaican-born-dwania-peele-inspires-immigrant-women-in-small-business
Tue, 06 Feb 2018 17:59:08 +0000http://canadianimmigrant.ca/?p=41330Are you an immigrant woman who always had a yearning to the start up your own small business but not sure where to start?

Dwania Peele, founder and executive director of Canadian Small Business Women has the know-how and can connect you with people with the relevant expertise to help you achieve your goals.

“I started this organization because I wanted to be able to provide a platform for all women, but immigrant women specifically, who have a vested interest in learning more about starting a small business, how to take the steps to officially launch a startup, and /or how to take their venture to the next level of success,” says Peele, an immigrant from Jamaica.

Immigrant women entrepreneurs

For the past five years, she has been hosting an annual Immigrant Women’s Small Business Expo, aimed at bringing together mostly immigrant women entrepreneurs. The event also hosts a number of workshops designed to provide information for startup and existing small-business owners.

“There are many immigrant women who face a lot of challenges, who want to find ways to get additional income and what better way than to start their own business, where they can have flexible hours,” Peele says. “I wanted to do something where I can bridge that gap because I do believe we’re an under-served group.”

Peele, who also hosts small networking events and webinars, migrated to Canada in her late teenage years and settled in Windsor, Ontario, with her parents. She attended university to study science, but also had a love for baking, which led to her first business venture, making and selling cupcakes. Tiny Delights became popular and lucrative as she started getting orders.

Start small and build

“[My events and workshops] are my way of letting [other immigrant women] know that you might have a dream of starting a business, but it doesn’t mean you have to give everything up to do it. You can start small and build. A lot of times that’s the advice I give to people. You might need a hundred thousand dollars but do you really need that to start a business, that’s the question I would ask,” Peele, who is a chemist by profession, says. “It cost me zero dollars to start my first website and all that was needed was my time and vision.”

Peele’s advice to someone thinking of starting a business? “You can’t be afraid to step out and ask questions. You have to tap into all your resources,” she says, including libraries which often have business planning tools. “Pick up the phone, go on the internet, go out and meet people, and find the resources. Don’t just say you have an idea and you want to do; just do it!”